Prenatal CBD Exposure Reduced Birth Weight and Altered Early Development in Rats
Rat pups exposed to CBD in the womb weighed less at birth, gained less weight before weaning, and showed subtle changes in early neurodevelopmental behaviors at higher doses.
Quick Facts
What This Study Found
Prenatal CBD exposure (5 and 10 mg/kg daily) resulted in lower birth weight and reduced weight gain before weaning. The higher dose (10 mg/kg) decreased homing behavior performance and produced subtle changes in righting reflex during the first postnatal week. Differences resolved by weaning at day 21.
Key Numbers
Doses: 5 and 10 mg/kg/day from gestational day 6 to 20. Both doses reduced birth weight and pre-weaning weight gain. 10 mg/kg decreased homing behavior and altered righting reflex in the first postnatal week. No effects on gait, negative geotaxis, or grip strength. Differences resolved by postnatal day 21.
How They Did This
Pregnant rats received daily CBD injections (5 or 10 mg/kg IP) from gestational day 6 to 20. Researchers tracked litter health parameters and conducted neurodevelopmental behavioral tests including homing behavior, righting reflex, negative geotaxis, gait, and grip strength.
Why This Research Matters
CBD is increasingly used during pregnancy for nausea and pain, often perceived as safe because it is non-intoxicating. This animal study suggests prenatal CBD may affect fetal growth and early development, even if effects appear transient.
The Bigger Picture
The growing perception of CBD as harmless may lead more pregnant people to use it. While this animal study shows effects that resolved by weaning, the developmental window when these changes occur is critical for brain maturation in both rats and humans.
What This Study Doesn't Tell Us
Animal study with IP injection, which does not match how humans use CBD. Only two doses tested. Effects resolved by weaning, raising questions about long-term significance. Rat development does not perfectly parallel human development.
Questions This Raises
- ?Do these transient developmental changes have any long-term consequences?
- ?Would oral CBD produce the same effects?
- ?How do these doses translate to human CBD use during pregnancy?
Trust & Context
- Key Stat:
- Both CBD doses reduced birth weight and pre-weaning weight gain
- Evidence Grade:
- Preliminary: single animal study with IP injection route and limited dose range
- Study Age:
- Published in 2025
- Original Title:
- Neurodevelopmental outcomes following prenatal cannabidiol exposure in male and female Sprague Dawley rat offspring.
- Published In:
- Neuroscience, 598, 72-83 (2025)
- Authors:
- Baccetto, Sarah L(3), Black, Tallan(6), Barnard, Ilne L(4), Macfarlane, Leah M, Sanfuego, Genre B, Laprairie, Robert B, Howland, John G
- Database ID:
- RTHC-05990
Evidence Hierarchy
Tests effects in animals (usually mice or rats), not humans.
What do these levels mean? →Frequently Asked Questions
Is it safe to use CBD during pregnancy?
This study adds to growing evidence that prenatal CBD exposure affects fetal development in animal models. While the effects resolved by weaning in rats, the study authors advise that pregnant people and healthcare providers should be aware of potential risks.
Did the effects last?
In this study, differences in weight, homing behavior, and righting reflex all resolved by postnatal day 21 (weaning). However, the study did not test for longer-term cognitive or behavioral effects.
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Cite This Study
https://rethinkthc.com/research/RTHC-05990APA
Baccetto, Sarah L; Black, Tallan; Barnard, Ilne L; Macfarlane, Leah M; Sanfuego, Genre B; Laprairie, Robert B; Howland, John G. (2025). Neurodevelopmental outcomes following prenatal cannabidiol exposure in male and female Sprague Dawley rat offspring.. Neuroscience, 598, 72-83. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neuroscience.2025.12.018
MLA
Baccetto, Sarah L, et al. "Neurodevelopmental outcomes following prenatal cannabidiol exposure in male and female Sprague Dawley rat offspring.." Neuroscience, 2025. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neuroscience.2025.12.018
RethinkTHC
RethinkTHC Research Database. "Neurodevelopmental outcomes following prenatal cannabidiol e..." RTHC-05990. Retrieved from https://rethinkthc.com/research/baccetto-2025-neurodevelopmental-outcomes-following-prenatal
Access the Original Study
Study data sourced from PubMed, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health.
This study breakdown was produced by the RethinkTHC research team. We analyze and report published research findings without making health recommendations. All interpretations are based solely on the published abstract and study data.